SOCCENT hosts their first-ever Spartan Spouse Day

Special Operations Command Central spouses are briefed on proper gun safety and control as part of Spartan Spouse Day held at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., June 13, 2017. The spouses learned how to fire handguns as an opportunity to experience the training their military spouses go through. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ned Johnston)

Christie Patterson, the wife of a Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) service member, takes a photo of her husband firing a handgun during Spartan Spouse Day at MacDill Air Force Base, June 13, 2017. During the day, spouses of SOCCENT members learned how to properly load, fire and unload a handgun. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Caleb Nunez)

Christie Patterson, the wife of a Special Operations Command Central service member, fires a handgun as part of the Spartan Spouse Day held at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., June 13, 2017. Spartan Spouse day allowed spouses to receive first-hand experience of what takes place within the special operations community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Caleb Nunez)

Spouses from Special Operations Command Central arrive on the shore of Pine Key, Fla., as part of Spartan Spouse Day, June 13, 2017. The spouses learned how to mount and dismount Zodiac inflatable boats and their use in special operation missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Caleb Nunez)

Spouses from Special Operations Command Central ride on a Zodiac, an inflatable boat, as part of Spartan Spouse Day held at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., June 13, 2017. The day included inflatable-boat familiarization as an opportunity to experience the training their spouses have gone through. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Caleb Nunez)

Spouses from Special Operations Command converse amongst each other at Pine Key, Fla., during Spartan Spouse Day, June 13, 2017. One of the main purposes of the event was to create a networking opportunity for spouses to get to know each other and build stronger relationships. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ned Johnston)

Special Operations Command Central hosted their first-ever Spartan Spouse Day at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, June 13, 2017.

The event was an opportunity for spouses to learn and experience about the special operations community, and get a glimpse of the training requirements their loved ones have to accomplish.

The day began with the spouses learning how to ride Zodiac inflatable boats and their use in special operation missions. This was followed by small arms training, where the spouses learned how to properly load, fire and unload a handgun. The day culminated with a family lunch, where they were able to share their first-hand experiences and newly found knowledge with each other.

“It was fun,” said Christie Patterson, the wife of a SOCCENT service member, who participated in the event. “This was my first spouse day here at MacDill; so it was good to see what the special operations community goes through on a daily basis and meet new people.”

Along with providing spouses an opportunity to train, this event had an additional purpose.

“Largely, this event allowed spouses to get to know one another and build a network, which is important should their loved ones have to deploy,” said Army Lt. Col. Matt Reynolds, the SOCCENT Headquarters Commandant. “Events like this draw the spouses closer to each other while building a strong bond with the MacDill community.”

Although this is the first Spartan Spouse Day, SOCCENT is looking to take the spouses recommendations and make it a regular event.

“Overall, the event was a success,” said Reynolds. “It brought the spouses out of their comfort zones and gave them a unique experience that they really enjoyed. They are looking forward to the next one, and we are looking to expand on it and continue to improve it.”

Special Operations Command Central is a joint service special operations sub-unified command responsible for planning and conducting peacetime and wartime special operations.